sifumusebox | Call Me Out (But Just Don't Call Me Later for Dinner) 2k16

[Rock Lee is virtually stunned as Sakura springs into action. He's always held her in high esteem, but moments like these help him to reconfirm that she lives up to every word of flattery he has for her. Striking powerfully and precisely... She really has grown a lot. And, seeing the way her pink hair billows, he knows she's just as beautiful as she's always been. Despite his condition, his cheeks flush slightly.

While she faces off with the enemy shinobi, Lee mouths a silent 'thank you' before he winces from his injuries. Finally, he allows himself to stoop down on the ground. Still, he calls for Sakura.]

I... I trust you, Sakura-san! [He finds himself thinking of the Forest of Death more than ever. How Sakura said that he helped her to become stronger. As much as he wanted to push himself and protect her, he also realized that his faith in Sakura was absolute. So he had to trust in her and her skill. And he raises a shaky thumbs up into the air.]

...And I will cheer you on!

Save your energy! [ It isn't that she hates his flattery (as embarrassing as it was) just that once he gets into it, he really gets into it and right now he needs as little strain on his body as possible.

With only that to announce her intent to fight them all on her own, she dove right into the thick of combat with the others. It wasn't the cleanest fight with plenty of mistakes made by both, with Sakura taking unnecessary hits to accommodate for her error in judgement.

One particularly nasty kick sent her spiraling through the air but at least she lands beside him in a fairly neat manner. Ragged and worn, yet not quite beaten she tries to meet his gaze. Silently urging him to remain here and let her fight. ]

Hey Lee-san... [ Her breath is short but still she manages to keep her head up. ] You don't live with any regrets, do you?

[He does shrink back at her first shout, and he manages to restrain his cheering. ...Well, as much as he's capable of, at least.

So he tries to cheer her on silently and is easily amazed by each strike that Sakura succeeds in. But he also feels hurt each time that she is hit, and an overwhelming sense of worry.

And then, when she falls at his side, Lee can't help but exclaim in pain.]

Sakura-san!!

[He looks down at her, his features mixed with concern and pain as he considers her question.]

I... You are right. I have succeeded in living a life, a springtime of youth, without any regrets. [His eyes shimmer, and for a moment, he reaches both hands to clasp one of hers and give it a reassuring squeeze.]

But, if I lost you, Sakura-san, I believe that I would feel regret... for everything that I could not do. S-so, all that I can do right now is... is to wish for you to do your very best! Please, survive, Sakura-san! [He then blinks back tears as he releases her hand.]

Haa... [ A laugh escapes her at that but it isn't a malicious one. It's as every bit as heartfelt as his words and for a moment, she appears to be at peace herself. ]

That was precisely what I needed to hear, Lee-san. You really did keep your promise.

[ "The lotus of Konoha always blooms twice, the next time I return, I promise I'll be a stronger man." ]

It takes a strong man to accept that regret may very well have to do with the actions of another. I, I believe I have succeeded in living a life without regrets as well but if you were to be killed here? My heart would ache for everything that I couldn't do.

[ It's very nice of their enemy to allow them to have their shounen anime conversation that spans several sentences long without interruption. ]

[Oh. Now her words warm his heart, and he smiles fondly as some tears flow down his cheeks.]

S... Sakura-san! [He kept his promise, he became stronger in Sakura's eyes and she cares about him that deeply... Sakura has acknowledged all of these things without being asked. It's almost overwhelming!]

I am happy to keep my promise! Your words are - ah, they're so heartfelt and youthful! Please, Sakura-san, let us both live a life without regrets today!

I... I know that I should not help you directly in the fight. But... What if I covered you, from here? [He pulls out a number of unusued kunai and shuriken, with a hopeful expression. Yes, Lee will resort to actually using ninja tools...!]

[ When she was young, she couldn't stop fascinating about being with the boy that all of the other girls her age wanted no matter how poorly he treated her because he was her teammate. What she had failed to see growing up was that he couldn't love someone because he needed a friend.

In turn she ignored those who cared deeply for her. Who had always watched over her and loved her when her back was turned. This realization would have made other girls wilt with regret but deep down Sakura knew she needed the experience from it in order to bolster her own feelings. Loving Sasuke and growing up with the others was just a necessary part of life. ]

That sounds great, Lee-san. [ All she needs to do is get back on her feet and be prepared to stand up for him. ] I won't stand in the way of your promise but it's time I return the gesture.

[Long ago, Lee would have been more stubborn about being the one to protect Sakura no matter what. That sense of chivalry of his has been tempered by having seen Sakura's true strength, and by coming to learn that the way to truly respect someone was to trust them to protect themselves when they can. And that true strength should involve teamwork whenever possible, instead of just one person holding the entire burden.

So he's ready to just be support for Sakura, while she takes them on. That she's returning his gesture from years ago... He's not sure if his youthly heart has ever felt warmer.]

I... I appreciate that. I appreciate it more than words can say, Sakura-san! Thank you...

[Lee gives another warm, encouraging smile before he looks back towards the enemies. It looks like they're done with their commercial break, but Lee's not sure if Sakura is ready to get back up yet. So he throws some shuriken towards them to slow down their approach.]

I am rooting for you!

It isn't necessary to do that. [ The cheering her on, she means as she rises fully, ready to take on their opponents with everything she has. ]

I'll protect you with my life.

[ With her back to him and everything, she recites his youthful promise right back at him. Really, it's kind of embarrassing to say when she thinks about it being his words but as a medic-nin she was going to fight for his well-being no matter what.

Which she needs to do right now. There's a couple of brutish guys growing impatient with the young couple's scene. At least she can rest easy knowing he has her back as she fights though! ]

[When she says those words, the echoes of his own from years past, he goes still for a moment. His eyes widen and shine while a red flush lightens his cheeks. Then, he softly nods.]

Mm!

[He'll accept it. Her protection, her strength. He's still ready to support her whenever she needs it in the minor ways that he can, but for the most part he watches, because he knows he'll never witness a fight so beautiful.]

[ Admittedly it doesn't take her long after that to clean up with his support though it does leave her feeling a bit exhausted. If she looked good while engaging their enemies, then it was unintentional.

Joining his side once more, it feels too good to sink into a slump against the ground after all of that. Her muscles ache (though not quite like his, she suspects) and she's tired, yet she refuses to just fall down entirely. Sitting on her legs is the closest she'll get to taking a break here. ]

We did it. [ Together.

Then like the medic-nin she is, she asks directly after: ] How are you feeling? Do you need immediate attention?

[The fight was simply splendid. He supported where he could, but it looked like Sakura truly did handle it by herself. She may have been weary in the aftermath, but she was still a victorious goddess in Lee's eyes.]

We did it!! [Lee supplies her with a much larger echo and a cheer, raising his arms in the air joyously. He himself is sitting on the ground and shifts to face her, his own face decorated with bruises like so many years ago.

Her question gives him pause, however, as he thinks over his own condition.]

A-ah! I do not think that I need immediate attention, so please do not worry. At the moment... I do not feel any pain. The strongest sensation is - is... [He places a hand over his chest.] ...a warmth in my heart! I feel happy, Sakura-san! That was such an incredible battle. And you have grown so strong!

[Pride leaks into his words as he smiles at her!]

[ Sakura could tell from the moment he pumped his hands into the air that he wasn't as hurt as he could have been. At least now she can take the time to relax and ohhhh--there he goes, saying embarrassing things again. Not his usual flair of embarrassing, but the kind that make her go red in the face nonetheless. ]

Y-Yeah... we all grew strong. [ Deflecting the compliment to spread it equally among the rest of their peers, Sakura acknowledges how far they've come to reach this point. In order to support their village and those they cared about, they had to really push themselves and grow up quickly. ]

But you, Lee-san! [ She beams proudly herself despite the exhaustion she felt. ] You've always been incredible with your strength.

[He does feel almost a renewed energy, and it's probably easy for him at the moment to ignore what pain lingers. Lee nods along at her assessment of their strength, but he still means that for Sakura more than anyone.

At her own compliment, Lee looks flustered for a moment. He can easily get high on Sakura's praises, but he shakes his head softly.]

Thank you, Sakura-san! I... I am very happy that you think so! But, today was a day where my strength was not enough.

[Lee glances right at her.]

You were the one whose fighting spirit shined. You fought on while I could not! Sakura-san.... You are so great!!

It was nothing really... [ The arrogance fades into a more gentle smile as she adds. ] I had someone I wanted to protect so naturally I would perform my best.

[ Rubbing the back of her neck in a nervous gesture, her eyes avoid him as she looks off to the side. It wasn't that she hated to meet his gaze, but rather she was too sheepish to do so much like how she was whenever she was younger.

(Or talking about Sasuke. Same thing.)

They'd have to talk about the things she said sooner or later. ]

It... it was everything, Sakura-san! And it was amazing... You truly gave it your all.

[Weakly, he shuffles a little closer to her. He feels a little lightheaded thinking about everything she's said and done. And nervously, with a light flush, he manages to voice it.]

A-and... the promise you made... It is like the one I made to you so long ago! Sakura-san, I... I am so honored!

[ Haa. ] It was, wasn't it?

[ Maybe if she played it cool, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. Fixating on the one thing she knows best, she looks back at him to study him with the eyes of a medic. ]

How are you feeling, Lee-san?

[Lee is all too eager to prove himself capable, so he nods eagerly.]

I am feeling very well, Sakura-san! All of my strength is returning to me! Ah, this- this is a springtime of youth miracle!!

[And to demonstrate this, he springs right up to his feet! But of course, Lee actually isn't nearly as recovered as he pretends to be, so his legs almost immediately give way, and, in the manner of a falling tree, he starts to tumble right onto Sakura.]

Ack!!

[ Never fear, she's here to catch him if she can. Even if she's tired herself, she still has enough energy to keep him from falling over. ]

H-Hey, be careful. [ Softly spoken, at least. Not like the way she scolds Naruto. ] You shouldn't push yourself so hard.

[Oh! He blushes slightly as she catches him, feeling both impressed with her skill and embarrassed at her fumble.]

I- I apologize! [As she holds him up, he looks into her eyes, and he goes on much more softly than usual.] But, if I do not push myself... I will not improve. And I want to. So that, next time, I could protect you. Or stand by your side!

[ Oh! indeed. What is she supposed to say in return to that? There's a small pause as she considers things carefully, playing through what she knows of him and of their peers. ]

You're always working so hard to improve yourself that I think it's expected of you. [ This much is true. It must take a lot of work to keep up with people like Sasuke and Naruto, as Sakura herself has endured. ] But it's acceptable to take life easily at times too.

If you don't take a break, you might overlook the things around you.

Ah! [His eyes widen in alert.] The last thing that I would want would be to overlook anything around me! Everyone and everything is worthy of attention...

[His smile turns sheepish, but it shines with gratitude.]

Maybe you are right, Sakura-san. Maybe I should... "take a break"! -You should as well!

Call Me Out (But Just Don't Call Me Later for Dinner) 2k16

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